Sepsis
Running Head: Sepsis
1
Sepsis:
A Clinical Case Study
Example
Conestoga College
Running Head: Sepsis
2
Abstract
Sepsis is an inflammatory systemic response to infection. The symptoms are produced by the host’s defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens (Schouten et al., 2008). Sepsis is a frequent cause of admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and it is one of the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients (Alberti et al., 2003). It is a public health concern and it continues to be a burden on the healthcare system (Ely,
Kleinpell and Goyette, 2003). Despite advancing medical technology, the rate of patients in intensive care units diagnosed with sepsis is continually increasing. According to
Schmidt and Mandel (2009), even when optimal treatment is provided, morbidity due to severe sepsis or septic shock is approximately 40 percent and can exceed 50 percent in the most critically ill patients. Early recognition of sepsis and sepsis-associated infections is essential to treating and controlling it from escalating to advanced stages that are associated with higher mortality rates (Lukaszewski et al., 2008). Unlike other diseases or trauma, the initial signs and symptoms of sepsis are subtle and can easily be missed by health care practitioners.
Sepsis involves the activation of the coagulation cascade along with downregulation of anticoagulant systems and fibrinolysis (Schouten et al., 2008). This cycle becomes exaggerated because inflammation induced coagulation produces further inflammation. Sepsis is associated with hypovolemia, hypotension and endothelial dysfunction. The following report will examine a patient’s course of illness during her stay in the ICU at XXXX. This paper will provide a discussion on the patient and her past
Running Head: Sepsis
3
medical history, the pathophysiology of sepsis, the clinical manifestations of sepsis, the patient’s clinical course, and finally, a summary
1
Sepsis:
A Clinical Case Study
Example
Conestoga College
Running Head: Sepsis
2
Abstract
Sepsis is an inflammatory systemic response to infection. The symptoms are produced by the host’s defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens (Schouten et al., 2008). Sepsis is a frequent cause of admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and it is one of the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients (Alberti et al., 2003). It is a public health concern and it continues to be a burden on the healthcare system (Ely,
Kleinpell and Goyette, 2003). Despite advancing medical technology, the rate of patients in intensive care units diagnosed with sepsis is continually increasing. According to
Schmidt and Mandel (2009), even when optimal treatment is provided, morbidity due to severe sepsis or septic shock is approximately 40 percent and can exceed 50 percent in the most critically ill patients. Early recognition of sepsis and sepsis-associated infections is essential to treating and controlling it from escalating to advanced stages that are associated with higher mortality rates (Lukaszewski et al., 2008). Unlike other diseases or trauma, the initial signs and symptoms of sepsis are subtle and can easily be missed by health care practitioners.
Sepsis involves the activation of the coagulation cascade along with downregulation of anticoagulant systems and fibrinolysis (Schouten et al., 2008). This cycle becomes exaggerated because inflammation induced coagulation produces further inflammation. Sepsis is associated with hypovolemia, hypotension and endothelial dysfunction. The following report will examine a patient’s course of illness during her stay in the ICU at XXXX. This paper will provide a discussion on the patient and her past
Running Head: Sepsis
3
medical history, the pathophysiology of sepsis, the clinical manifestations of sepsis, the patient’s clinical course, and finally, a summary
References: Alberti et al. (2003). Influence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis on outcome of critically ill infected patients Bone, R. C., Balk, R. A., & Cerra, F. B. e. a. (1992). Definitions for sepsis and organ failure and guidelines for the use of innovative therapies in sepsis Broden, C. C. (2009). Acute renal failure and mechanical ventilation: Reality or myth? Critical Care Nurse, 29(2) Dellinger, P. R. e. a. (2008). Surviving sepsis campaign: International guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock Ely, E. W., Kleinpell, R. M., & Goyette, R. E. (2003). Advances in the understanding of clinical manifestations and therapy of severe sepsis: An update for critical care Finkle, N. M. (2004). Getting sarted: Elevated serum creatinine. Presented at the 78th Annual Dalhousie Refresher Course, Gardenhire, D. S. (2008). Rau 's respiratory care pharmacology Lukaszewski, R unit patients. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 15(7), 1089-1094. Maki, D., MD., & Tambyah, M. (2001). A novel therapy for sepsis. Pharmacotherapy, 21(11) Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2007). Human anatomy and physiology (7th ed.). San Fransisco, CA: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). High white blood cell count. Retrieved October 31, 2009, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-white-blood-cellcount/MY00161/DSECTION=causes McCance, K. L., & Heuther, S. E. (2006). Pathophysiology: The biological basis for disease in adults and children (5th ed.) Neligan, P., M.D. (2006). What is sepsis? Retrieved September 15, 2009, from http://www.ccmtutorials.com/infection/sepsis/index.htm Neviere, R., M.D. (2009). Sepsis and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: Definitions, epidemiology and prognosis Schouten et al. (2008). Inflammation, endothelium and coagulation in sepsis. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 83, 536-545. University of Maryland Medical Centre. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicince index (CAM)